COMFREL: Party Oriented Media Result in Unfair Competition from the Beginning
“A report from the Committee for Free and Fair Elections [COMFREL], observing the selection of officials to organize the commune elections [to be held on 1 April 2007] at all levels and the registration of candidates of political parties, shows that the Cambodian People’s Party [CPP] has the most opportunities to publicize its activities related to the selection of their candidates, as well as its achievements through television, radio, and newspapers.
“An eight-paged report dated 22 January 2007 says that the other parties are not able to use television to provide information to the people in remote areas. This causes an atmosphere of unfairness from the beginning.
“COMFREL added that though there are few irregularities, the selection of officials to organize the elections at all levels, and the registration of candidates of political parties during three days (from 1 to 3 January) was conducted smoothly, especially in technical terms. There was only one complaint of an irregularity. However, before and after the registration of candidates, an atmosphere of threats and fears appeared in some remote areas. Twelve political parties have registered with a total of more than 100,000 candidates, out of which 20% are women. Four parties used to participate in the elections in 2002, and seven parties participated in elections in 2003.
“Despite the increased number of parties, COMFREL observed that only the CPP has candidates in all communes and subdistricts. At least three communes in two remote areas in Pursat and Ratanakiri have candidates from only one party; the other parties had difficulties in organizing their networks and candidates in many communes and subdistricts.
“Concerning security, threats, intimidation, and violence relating to the candidates, COMFREL noticed that no candidates or activists of any political party were murdered during this period, but fear and threats still continue. The range of freedom is still small and narrow for political activities in remote rural areas.
“The members and activists of other than the ruling party have fear and face many difficulties in performing their networking activities and arranging candidates for the elections. There is an accusation that there are verbal threats against some activists, especially from the opposition party, where some local authorities may force or threaten some candidates to withdraw themselves, or to resign from a political party, or to stop their activities of supporting those parties.
“There are threats by local authorities that there will be no guarantee of personal safety and security, neither for the candidates nor for their families, or there will be no assistance by administrative or economic facilities, and so on, if someone joins and serves another party. Such cases happened in some communes in Battambang, Kandal, Koh Kong, Kratie, Mondolkiri, Pursat, and Siem Reap, and also in some other places. In some cases, COMFREL continues the observation.
“COMFREL said also that the arrest of the three generals – one is from the Sam Rainsy Party, and the other two are from Funcinpec – definitely affects the atmosphere, causing fear and worries during the election period. Samdech Krom Preah Norodom Ranariddh is facing an accusation in court by Funcinpec, and Funcinpec is also facing some accusations by Samdech Krom Preah. Moreover, Samdech Hun Sen encouraged the court to continue to work on the complaints by Funcinpec against Samdech Krom Preah.
“COMFREL says that these disputes have become political and cause a dreadful atmosphere.
However, COMFREL insists that the National Election Committee continues to play its role, especially to help to intervene with the media, especially television, so that all political parties can use the media to publicize their activities like the CPP does.” Deum Ampil, Vol.2, #5, 24-30.1.2007
Newspapers Appearing on the Newsstand:
Wednesday, 24 January 2007
Deum Ampil, Vol.2, #5, 24-30.1.2007
- After Hun Sen’s Reaction, Court Continues to Take Action on Lawsuit between Samdech Krom Preah and Nhek Bun Chhay [Funcinpec Secretary-General – over sale of Funcinpec headquarters]
- German Ambassador Urges Adoption of Anti-Corruption Draft Law Soon
- COMFREL: Party Oriented Media Result in Unfair Competition from the Beginning
- LICADHO [Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights]: More Land Disputes Happened in 2006 than in 2005
Kampuchea Thmey, Vol.6, #1251, 24.1.2007
- Commission 4 of National Assembly Finds Out Three Main Crimes [forest crimes, fishing crimes, and land grabs] in Kompong Chhnang and Pursat
- Phnom Penh Municipal Court Quietly Takes Action on Suit over Sale of Funcinpec Headquarters
- British Man Arrested on Accusation of Pedophilia [Phnom Penh]
- Poor Parents, Whose [13-year-old] Daughter Was Raped and Killed, Cannot Afford a Coffin [Kos Krolor, Battambang]
Khmer Amatak, Vol.8, #445, 24.1.2007
- King Norodom Sihamoni Told Samdech Euv [Father King] that if He Is Overthrown, He Will Go into Exile in France
- Family of Chea Vichea [head of Cambodian Free Trade Union of Workers, assassinated 22.1.2004] Says Government Was Behind Murder of this Prominent Head of Trade Unions
- Complaint of Ministry of Environment against Green Rich Ended by Money Quietly
- Yuon [Vietnam] Still Continues Encroachment on Contested Area in Ou Ya Dav, Ratanakiri
Khmer Mekong, Vol.5, #228, 23-24.1.2007
- Committee for Free and Fair Elections: Ruling Party Uses Most Media Access During Period Before Elections
Moneaksekar Khmer, Vol.14, #3070, 24.1.2007
- Samdech Euv [Father King]: Plan to Overthrow Throne to Dissolve Norodom Line in Order to Be Replaced by Sisowath Line; Samdech Sihamoni Asks for Half a Month’s Time for Packing to Go to France [according to Voice of America]
- Mr. Sam Rainsy Still Threatens to Lead Public Demonstration to Demand Further Decrease of Gasoline Price
Sralanh Khmer, Vol.3, #313, 24.1.2007
- Cambodia Owes Up to US$6.2 Billion Foreign Debts
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